JDs Page
By TMX Archives on 12th Dec 07
Editor JD enthuses about this year's Dirt Bike Show, apart from the car parking, and wonders why the police are spending so much time chasing after missing' canoeist while we're getting our bikes and vans nicked...
WENT to The Dirt Bike Show last Thursday and I have to say what a great atmosphere there was, with the majority of exhibitors having made a real effort and the paying show-goers really enjoying their day out. Which is just as it should be of course. But credit where it is due; I found the big MCIE (industry) promoted NEC show felt very flat this year and, quite frankly, I then had reservations about the following Dirt Bike Show – especially as it was running much later in the year than normal. Which goes to show what I know and it was with genuine pleasure that I found the DBS was such a success on all levels.
This column is all about my personal thoughts, I am always 100% honest and I have been critical of the DBS in the past, which has obviously seen me scratched from several Christmas card lists.
Some years, having arrived at the show, I have been ready for home in a couple of hours – this year I was one of the very last to leave, having to be cajoled through the doors by the very courteous (and I do mean that) security staff as I was still chatting away with Show people at lights-out.
I found it that good, everyone I met was in good spirits and in the mood to talk and the day just flew by. In truth I could have done with at least a couple more hours as there were still plenty of people I had spotted and wanted a word with but simply got swept along with the mob somewhere else.
My only criticism – it is a nightmare finding your car in the public parking areas at Stoneleigh. It may be fine for the exhibitors, parked close to the halls but it really is no joke for the punters parked miles from anywhere in the pitch dark – and it was chucking it down.
Change of venue next year anyone???
NO doubt, like us, you have enjoyed a good laugh at the recent ‘Canoe Man' story that the media has latched onto with such glee. Yes, it is amusing and the tabloids have had a field day with huge punny front page headlines. "The liar, the witch and the wardrobe” was my personal favourite. This sort of stuff is manna from heaven to the bright sub-editors whose biggest problem has been fighting over which of the dozen laugh-a-minute headlines that they have dreamed-up to use each day.
This novelty story is being milked to death but it is NOT the crime of the century. The bloke and his wife would appear to be guilty of a simple insurance scam – much worse goes on each and every day – and our hero also apparently used a false passport. In this he joins who knows how many – the government certainly doesn't – thousands of illegal immigrants that pour daily into our country, none of which make the news.
Yet this has not stopped the police from joining in with alacrity. Every time you turn on the news there are dozens of 'em surrounding the middle-aged bloke (and now his wife) like they were the Great Train Robbers or something.
Next, no doubt, the rozzers will be sending teams of detectives off to Panama for a month-long investigation while another gang will be off to the Med to interview the geezer who allegedly nearly sold them a boat.
So what has this got to do with us?
Well, it just crossed my mind that the coppers are spending way too much time and effort – and money – on a case that really doesn't mean much. An insurance company has been done out of a few quid – and if they want it back I reckon it is up to them to chase it.
But, if you have had your bike nicked recently, or your van, or had your garage wall torn down by low-lifes intent on theft and contacted your local police, the chances are that they showed minimum interest. I have had two phone calls in the last seven days from theft victims who both told me that their local police said that bike theft was not a priority, that they did not have unlimited manpower and funds and never even turned-up at the scene of the crime.
Yet it appears they have unlimited manpower and funds when it comes to chasing a couple of minor fraudsters, both of whom gave themselves up. How many bikes have been nicked while dozens of burly coppers have been busy making sure a couple of frail old fools don't do a runner...?